Leeds United signed 10 new players this summer, making it a very busy window overall. But fans were not pleased that most of the budget was spent on defenders and midfielders.
Only £18million was spent on the attack, with the only permanent signing being Noah Okafor. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha joined on free transfers. Roughly two months into the season, and not all of these signings have had an impact on the first team.
In fact, just a handful of signings have staked their place in the starting lineup – Anton Stach, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
QUIZ: Can you name the team Leeds United signed these players from?
Jaka Bijol jokes about Manchester United comments
Jaka Bijol Credit: Imago
A lot of the other signings have barely gotten a chance to play this season – a handful of them got their only start in the EFL cup exit to Sheffield Wednesday. Jaka Bijol is one of the big money signings who has found himself on the bench. The Slovenian arrived for £15million, but has only played once.
Bijol has recently been talking about his countryman, Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko. He spoke highly of the player, and joked that his quotes about the Manchester club were not translated.
“I’m very happy he found his groove.
“People in England are quite ruthless. I’m very happy that this pressure has at least fallen off his shoulders.
“It’s true that there is a rivalry, so I hope that these words won’t be translated too much or understood in the wrong sense.
“I’m happy for Benjamin, I can’t be for [Man] United. The derby will come soon,” he said.
Daniel Farke explains why Leeds United star is not starting games
Bijol’s lack of playing time was explained by Daniel Farke recently. According to the Leeds boss, the current form of the Leeds defenders is keeping the Slovenian out of the team this season.
“It’s about what happens on the training pitch. I liked Jaka a lot in pre-season but he was not available for Everton.
“The final one or two pre-season games you go for the line-up you’d play and so Jaka missed major parts of the last two friendlies.
“Really good performance from our centre-backs, nearly three clean sheets. Pascal and Joe have outstanding performances and this is how professional football works.”
“He’s a really good player, mid to long-term very important for us.”
